The UEFA Nations League gets going on Thursday. Our own Steve Clare gave a bit of a primer on how it all works, but the goal is to have something more interesting outside of qualifiers, the Euros, and the World Cup. It has intriguing matchups; promotion and relegation; and the chance for at least of one of Georgia, Latvia, Kazakhstan, Andorra, Belarus, Luxembourg, Moldova, San Marino, Azerbaijan, Faroe Islands, Malta, Kosovo, FYR Macedonia, Armenia, Liechtenstein, and Gibraltar to reach Euro 2020.
There was once a time where you could set up a league in FIFA (the game) with national teams. Here it is in real life complete with anthem! Already, CONCACAF is trying something similar.
Let’s look at a match in each league:
LEAGUE A1: GERMANY vs. FRANCE (Thursday at 1:45pm CT, ESPN2)
Germany is looking for redemption after a poor showing in the World Cup while France begin life as the current holders. A terrific headliner to get things started in Munich.
LEAGUE B4: WALES vs. REPUBLIC OF IRELAND (Thursday at 1:45pm CT, ESPN+)
Both teams came very close to qualifying for Russia 2018, but both came up short. Given Denmark’s situation at present, this and the return trip in Dublin could decide who plays in League A in 2021 and has at least one path to Euro 2020.
LEAGUE C4: LITHUANIA vs. SERBIA (Friday at 1:45pm CT on ESPN+)
Serbia is the only League C team that reached the World Cup. They will be prohibitive favorites to win promotion to League B and have a pathway to Euro 2020. Lithuania may be favorites for League D in a group with Montenegro, Romania, and Serbia.
LEAGUE D4: ARMENIA vs. LIECHTENSTEIN (Thursday at 1:45pm CT on ESPN+)
The Chicago Fire’s Nicolas Hasler will be playing for Liecthenstein for this one. Former Fire player David Arshakyan will not be with Armenia for this one.
Here is a full list of fixtures in Matchday One for Thursday, Friday, and Saturday (all times CT):
THURSDAY:
D1: Kazakhstan vs. Gerogia, 9am (ESPN+)
D4: Armenia vs. Liechtenstein, 11am (ESPN+)
A1: Germany vs. France, 1:45pm (ESPN2)
D1: Latvia vs. Andorra, 1:45pm (ESPN3)
C3: Slovenia vs Bulgaria, 1:45pm (ESPN+)
D4: Gibraltar vs. FYR Macedonia, 1:45pm (ESPN+)
C3: Norway vs. Cyprus, 1:45pm (ESPN+)
B4: Wales vs. Republic of Ireland (ESPN+)
B1: Czech Republic vs. Ukraine (ESPN+)
FRIDAY:
D3: Kazakhstan vs. Georgia, 9am (ESPN+)
A3: Italy vs. Poland, 1:45pm (ESPN2)
C4: Romania vs. Montenegro, 1:45pm (ESPN+)
B2: Turkey vs. Russia, 1:45pm (ESPN+)
C4: Lithuania vs. Serbia, 1:45pm (ESPN+)
D3: Faroe Islands vs. Malta, 1:45pm (ESPN+)
C1: Albania vs. Israel, 1:45pm (ESPN+)
SATURDAY:
B3: Northern Ireland vs. Bosnia-Herzegovina, 8am (ESPNEWS)
C2: Finland vs. Hungary, 11am (ESPN3)
A2: Switzerland vs. Iceland, 11am (ESPN+)
D2: Belarus vs. San Marino, 11am (ESPN+)
C2: Estonia vs. Greece, 1:45pm (ESPN3)
A4: England vs. Spain, 1:45pm (ESPN+)
D2: Luxembourg vs. Moldova, 1:45pm (ESPN+)
